CJ: I'm going to try flat black first. It wont look dirty as quickly and it's easy to apply and respray later if necessary.

 

The test fit


The primer, sanded


A light coat of DupliColor semi-gloss black


Needs more coats then sanding!

 

Looks like you got a good strat on it let use see some finished pics when your done.

 

grrr....im getting anxious!!!!
Good prep work dave! Im still waiting on mine! hopefully it comes as nicely packaged an clean as yours did.

 

Cansomeone please sharethe steps involved in properly painting one of these undertails. I haven't painted anything like this before and I don't want to screw it up. Also, how much of your factory undertail/battery box needs to get cut-off to replace it with this? Sorry if I'm a moooorooon but the search didn't help much.

Thank you all.

 

RBX13:

The undertail where it protrudes below the frame rail gets cut off flush. Basically you cut off the mudflap flush to the underside of the bike. A hacksaw will make it quick and clean.

When you get your new plastic undertail, go to the auto parts store and pick a sandable primer and a basecoat paint. It helps to get a primer tinted a different color from your basecoat so you can tell if it's evenly painted. Notice my primer is a rust color and my basecoat is black.

Now you'll read the cans and follow their instructions.

You want to read the primer can first. Mine said rough the surface to be painted with 320 grit paper. Then it said apply two light primer coats with 10 minutes between each coat. Sand lightly with 600 grit. Then apply a final coat and sand it again.

Next read the basecoat can. Mine said apply two light coats to a primed surface, followed by a wet coat with 10 minutes between coats and no longer than 1 hour total. Then sand with 600 (I used 800) and look for problems. If no problems, wet sand with finer and finer grit paper until you get what you want.

It won't be perfect your first time, and you may have to ignore some of the suggested steps and do things your way. But always remember it's just paint, and you can always sand it down and respray!

 

I just ordered mine - there are 2 left... I was really trying to hold off on this mod due to all the custom wiring I've done for my alarm and LED's and stuff, but this will be a fun project and how could I pass up $45 shipped for this? I'll get some pics once I paint it... I'm going to try to match my candy blue the best I can, wish me luck!

 

dave ls1- Thank you for the advice.I was thinking I just needed to paint it with the color but when I saw your test fit picture, It looked likeit was too glossy to just accept the paint. I'll give it a shot with the primer & basecoat first as you'd mentioned.

RBX13

 

Oh yeah, it's super glossy out of the box. I'm almost done, took a little too much paint off the high edges wet sanding with 1000 grit this evening. Going to let it dry out and give it some touch-up spray tomorrow, then finish with 2000 and decide from there. Maybe some polish, maybe some clear, who knows.

 

Just got mine today. Looks good, has a small crack where the left turn signal hole is. But totally worth $45. I'll keep every one updated as I put it on, maybe a week or so.
Good info davels1, you only forgot three things about painting and sanding 1)patience 2)patience 3)patience.[sm=signs003.gif]